Page 21 of All My Broken Pieces

I can’t bring myself to say no, to tell her that my heart is already held by another.

I feel eyes staring at me and peek up, meeting Hudson’s concerned gaze. I’m shocked at the genuine worry I see shining in his pale blue eyes. Averting my gaze again, I slump in my seat and wish that the food was laced with arsenic or something, anything to end this miserable excuse for a life I have.

When I don’t get my wish, I reach forward and take my glass of wine, downing it and quickly refilling the glass.

By the time I can excuse myself, I’ve polished off nearly a bottle of wine. I can feel the alcohol warming my blood, a welcome numbing to the overwhelming despair.

“What are you doing?” A deep voice rumbles behind me as I wait outside for my ride.

Glancing over my shoulder, I have to reach my arm out to steady myself as I wobble. “Wha-what do you mean?” I slur, blinking to get my eyes to focus.

Hudson watches me closely, folding his arms over his broad chest. “Why did you agree to go on that date?” He asks, his brow furrowed.

I shrug, the movement making me sway on my feet. “Don’t have a choice.” I mumble.

Hudson opens his mouth to say something else, but doesn’t get the chance as my ride pulls up.

“See ya, broseph!” I chuckle, diving into the backseat.

The ride back to the skyrise is silent, apparently my driver is against music or something. Needing a distraction from the swirling thoughts in my brain, I pull my phone out and begin scrolling through Insta. My vision is a little fuzzy as I like and comment on post after post, the alcohol making me more brazen than normal. One of my favorite authors shared a graphic of a sapphic book she’s working on and I stare at the photo for far too long.

Why can’t I just havethat?

My fingers move on their own, taking me to my profile. I scroll through my photos, smiling at the most recent one of Ava and me snuggled up on her couch. I can almost hear our laughter as we had coached Killian on taking the best photo. He grumbled the whole time but couldn’t hide the love shining in his eyes as he watched Ava posing.

The next photo is one of the Seattle skyline, taken from the fancy ass penthouse. It’s a gorgeous view, and I couldn’t help but share it.

I scroll again and stop, my eyes welling up with tears.

Staring up at me is a photo of Arriana and me. Her arms are wrapped around my waist as she presses a kiss to my cheek. Her short brown hair a stark contrast to my own long blonde locks. My eyes travel down her toned body, her full breasts are pressed against my side and the sight sends a shiver down my spine at the memory of what they felt like. My thighs shift as I remember the sensation of our bare chests rubbing against each other, the friction always sent a jolt straight to my core.

My eyes are closed in the photo but hers are open as she peers at me with what I can only describe as adoration.

Before I can stop myself, I close out of the app and pull up my text messages. Opening the chat, I scroll through her multitude of unanswered texts.

She loves me.

It can’t be wrong if it’s love, right?

With the alcohol making my thoughts a little hazy, I type out a text and press send, a warmth pooling low in my pelvis at the hope she’ll see it. That she’ll respond.

Me

I need you

Chapter 8

Arriana

I practically throw my keys at the valet as I run inside.

“Hello, Miss Beckett.” The doorman greets, inclining his head.

I mumble an incoherent response, brushing past him to the elevators. Pushing the button, a thought occurs to me. Glancing back at him, I bite the inside of my cheek but decide against asking, pulling up my phone instead.

Me

Where are you baby?

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